[Husker] Linebacker Play

[Duane Feldman]

I am VERY worried about the change in defensive coaches this year.  Ekeler was much maligned, but he took an RB as a rookie coach and turned him into a second team AC Will in the players very first year as lb.  In Ekeler's second year, he took a guy (Dillard) who was buried deep on the depth chart and turned him into a first team AC player.  In Ekeler's third year, he took a juco player who didn't know the Huskers defensive system and turned him into an All-American.  In those three years, the lb spot was one of strength - even when there was only one lb on the field.

Marvin Saunders gave similar results in the secondary.  In the last three years, NU had one of the best secondaries int he country each year with several players drafted to the NFL. I didn't see ANY of the Husker lockdown secondary defense on the past two Saturday's. Sure, Dennard is injured and Amukamara graduated, but Evans locked down Missouri last year and the styles are simply not the same.

Without the secondary coverage and the linebackers filling the holes, the line itself hasn't been as strong.  One sack so far this year???  These are two of the easiest teams NU will face and they have both looked strong offensively.

OTOH, NU started strong last year and fizzled at the end.  Perhaps this year we start weak and get stronger??  I sure hope so.

Duane Feldman



________________________________
From: "Martin, Douglas W." <MartinDW at stlukes.org>
To: "husker at tssi.com" <husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 9:45 AM
Subject: [Husker] Linebacker Play

Very disappointed in the method of linebacker play Saturday night.  Neither Compton nor David seem to be able to meet a running play at the hole and stop it.   Rather they seem to wait and then react, or in David's case, sometimes run around the linemen to try to make the tackle from the side or behind.  A stark contrast to Fresno State's linebackers who filled the hole and reacted quickly, hence very few yards for NU between the tackles.  It seemed routine that Fresno St. could get 3-5 yards between the tackles.  Just once I was waiting for a meeting of the running back and linebackers at the line of scrimmage, but it never happened.  I am guessing all Big Ten opponents will be looking at that tape very closely.

Why did we not let Maher give it a go from 62 yds at the end of the first half?  Odds of making a FG greater than a TD in that situation.  BTW, Fresno's kicker was practicing from 62 and making them routinely in warm ups sometimes with a little to spare.   (yes, I know its warm ups, but still....that was impressive)

Douglas W. Martin MD
UNL '87
UNMC '91


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